SKILLS
Explore music used in advertising.
Create a jingle for a given product.

HOMEWORK
Using key elements discussed in class, research an advert of your choice explaining how the music is used.

Year 8

TERM 1A (Sept – Oct)

CONTENT/THEMES
African music

SKILLS
Compose and perform an African style piece as a class and in groups.
Use various traditional African instruments.
Take on different roles within in the group e.g. master drummer.

HOMEWORK
Consolidate key features of African music.

TERM 1B (Oct-Dec)

CONTENT/THEMES
Blues music

SKILLS
Improvise and perform on keyboards using the blues scale and 12 bar blues structure.
Research the history of blues music.
Discuss the influence of blues music on modern popular music.

HOMEWORK
Learning the blues scale and the 12 bar blues.

TERM 2A (Jan-Feb)

CONTENT/THEMES
Pop music

SKILLS
Perform various pieces of popular music on the keyboard.
Explore different styles of pop music.
Look at standard pop music structures.

HOMEWORK
Research different styles of pop music.

TERM 2B (Feb-Mar)

CONTENT/THEMES
Rap music

SKILLS
Explore origins of rap music and techniques used.
In groups, compose and perform original raps as well as the backing music using rap style word patterns & loops in harmony.

HOMEWORK
Research rap artist of own choice, commenting on the style of music as well as techniques used.

TERM 3 (Apr-Jul)

CONTENT/THEMES
Film music

SKILLS
In pairs, compose and perform an original film score for either a horror, sci-fi or romance genre.
Explore key features of film music and techniques used.
Using examples and extracts, discover the importance of music in films.

HOMEWORK
Describe how the music is used in a film of your choice.

Year 9

TERM 1

CONTENT/THEMES
Samba music

SKILLS
In groups, compose a samba style piece of music using expressive changes in dynamics and tempo.
Devise polyrhythms within groups and samba style call and responses.
Take on leader roles and perform solos.

HOMEWORK
Research the origins of Samba music.

TERM 2

CONTENT/THEMES
African music

SKILLS
Compose an African style piece in a group, taking on more advanced roles.
Use expressive dynamic and tempo changes as well as harmony, drumming techniques, call and response and improvised solos.
Evaluate and make critical judgements about own and others’ work.

HOMEWORK
Choose a country in West Africa and research its music and culture.

TERM 3

CONTENT/THEMES
Reggae music

SKILLS
Research the origins of reggae music.
Understand techniques used such as off-beat chords, rim shots and bass riffs.
Perform a reggae piece of music on the keyboard/guitar.

HOMEWORK
Explore Rastafarianism and the significance of the colours red, yellow and green.

TERM 4

CONTENT/THEMES
Pop music

SKILLS
Perform a piece of popular music in a group or on the keyboard using both hands playing chords and melody.
Use expressive changes in dynamics.

HOMEWORK
Research an era or genre of popular music e.g. 60’s, 70’s and find out about artists.

25% Listening exam
15% Creative task – Prepare and play a piece based on a choice of stimuli
30% Integrated task – Perform and evaluate a piece of music for your own instrument & compose a related piece for your instrument
15% Perform in a group
15% Compose either a group, dance or descriptive piece of music